Skid chain



P. G. DORN Feb. 24, 1931 SKID CHAIN Filed Dec. 2, 1929 INVENTOR. G Darn/A TORNEY ial UNEITE earns PATENT "Fr es PAUL G. norm, or GOLDEN, NEWYORK SKID CHAIN Application filed December 2, 1929. Serial No. 411,120.

This invention relates to improvements in skid chains for automobilesand more particularly to an improved cross chain made up of a pluralityof interfitting and interlocking readily detachable links.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a skid crosschain of the above general character which will be strong and durable inconstruction, and which may be inexpensively manufactured and assembled.

A further object is to provide a chain of the above charac er in whichthe links may be readily replaced, removed or added as circumstancesmight require or according to the size of the tire to which the completechain is applied.

A further object is to provide a chain of the above character in whichthe links may be disengaged or disconnected only when the complete chainis removed from the tire, thereby positively preventing loss of linkswhen the tire is in use.

A further object is to provide a cross chain which will act like a mudhook or skate by reason of its peculiar construction and relativelylarge lateral engaging area.

A further object is to provide a cross chain of the above characterhaving a relatively large flat surface adapted to engage the tire,thereby to prevent excessive wear on the tire, as well as speciallyshaped side areas adapted to prevent lateral movement of the wheelwithout excessive wear on the road surface.

Other objects will be in part obvious from the annexed drawing and inpart hereinafter indicated in connection therewith by the followinganalysis of this invention.

This invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combination of parts, and in the unique relation of the members and inthe relative proportioning and disposition thereof, all as morecompletely outlined herein.

To enable others skilled in the art to fully comprehend the underlyingfeatures thereof that they may embody the same by the numerousmodifications in structure and relation contemplated by this invention,a drawing depicting a preferred forin of theinvention has been annexedas part of this disclosure,

tire engaging surface 6.

and in such drawing, like characters of reference denote correspondingparts throughout allof the views, of which Fig. 1 is a perspective viewshowing a portion of the entire skid chain with two spaced apart seriesof links or cross chains embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan View of surface of one link;

Fig. 3 is a reverse view showing the manner of separating two adjacentlinks;

Fig. 4 is a view showing the position of two adjacent links in positionfor disengagement.

Referring now tothe drawing in detail,5 indicates the circumferentialportions of a complete skid chain, which portions may-be of any desiredcharacter; and these form no the road engaging part of the presentinvention except in so far I as they may enter into the generalcombination, that is, it is immaterial whether it is a wire linkstructure or a continuous Wire or the like providing it constitutes ameans to which the ends of the cross links may be connected.

Each cross chain is composed of a plurality of links, all of which areexactly alike with one exception, as hereinafter illOllBCl. As shown inFig. 3, each link comprises a sub stantially U-shaped channelmember, ofwhich the under face of the bottom wall or cross portion provides arelatively large flat 7 The side Walls or flanges 7 of the channelmember, Fig. 2, are preferably inclined at their ends from the upperface of the bottom wall, as indicated at 8. The inner faces of the sidewall 7 are inclined upwardly in. the direction of the outer faces of thewalls, as denoted by the lines 10. The resulting braced constructionprovides a stronger and more durable arrangement as well as providingtwo surfaces adaptedto more efficiently engage the pavement or ice alongwhich the wheel is rolling, thus acting as a skate or mud hook. Thesurfaces 8 prevent lateral slip of the wheel without causing excessivewear on the road surface.

Each link is provided with coacting fastening means such as a hole orslot 11 and at its opposite end with a curved hook 12 as shown in Fig.4. The rear surfaces 6 of each link is notched at one or both sides ofthe slot 11 as indicated at 13, Fig. 3, whereby the extreme end of thehook 12 will have a close sliding lateral fit at it is movedtransversely with respect to the adjacent link. In separating the links,they are. preferably moved to the acute angle position shown in Fig. 4whereby the two inclined surfaces 8 abut each other. This preventsaccidental separation of thelinks when in use andprecludes unintendedremoval of the chain from the wheel.

In order to provide .a securing means at each end of the cross chain forengaging the peripheral members 5, it isdesira-ble thatone of ;theselinks 14 be provided witha hook at each end as shown atathe extreme leftof the cross chains in Fig. 1. This link 14 of course may ;be placedanywhere in the cross chain as desired, in whichcase the adjacent linksof the type shown in Fig. 2 would have tobe reversed when assembled.

It will be noted particularly that a link of this character havinginclined end surfaces 8 is more desirable than an ordinary :linkwithaturned-up square side edges in that {the widened and sloping parts 8pro :vide .atmoreefiective surface against lateral movement :as wellasoneawhich will not unduly avear the road surface. The links are 7preferably made-of iron or :drop' forge steel .and maybe veryinexpensively manufactured and assembled, and whenso assembled vprovidea strong and-durable s'kidchain which will, by reason of :the length-ofthe slots and :hooks 11 and 12, maintain its alignment and will :notkink .or separate as long as the pe ripheral chains remain in position.In other =wjords, there is aninterloc'kingengagement between the partswhereby they can not be disconnected until the skid chain is removedfrom the tire. The invention is therefore well adapted to accomplish,among others,

i .all of the obj-ectszandadvantages herein set forth.

,uVithout further analysis the foregoing will so fully reveal the gistof this invention :that others-can by applying current knowledge readilyadapt it for various applications without :om'itting :certain featuresthat, from :the standpoint of :the prior art, fairly constituteessential .characteristicslof thelgeneric or specific aspects of thisinvention, and therefore such adaptations should and are intended to becomprehended within the meanring and range of equivalency of 'thefollowing claims.

:lclaim:

i1- Ainon-skidcross chain ofathe character forth comprising a pluralityof links, each including a substantially U-shaped channel :havingzacontinued bottom wall and 'side walls extending therefrom, the underface oflthe bottom wall'engaging-the tire, the

site ends and from the upper face of the bottom wall, and complementalmeans on adjacent links for connecting the same, the inclination of theends of the side walls being such that adjacent links may be turned to afacing relation and moved laterally for connection or disconnection.

:2. it non-skidcross chain of the character set forth including aplurality of links, each comprising a substantially U-shaped channelhaving a bottom wall and side walls extending'therefrom, the under faceof the bottom wall engaging the tire, the inner faces of said side w sbeing inclined towards the outer faces thereof, the side walls beinginclined at their encs from the upper face of the bottom wall, thebottom wall having a transverse slot near one end and a ton ue extendingfrom the other end for insertion through the slotof an adjacent link,the inclination of the ends of the side walls being such that adjacentlinks may he turned to 21 facing relation each in eludingv asubstantially'U-shaped channe'l having a continued bottomwall-extendingtherefrom, the under face of the bottom wall en agingthe'tire, the inner faces of said side walls being inclined towards theouter faces thereof, the ends of each side wall being inclined towardsopposite ends and from the upper face of the bottom wall, the bottomwall having a transverse slot near one end and a transverse groove onthe under face thereof opening into said slot, a tongue-extending fromthe other end of the bottom wall for insertion through the slot of anadjacent link, the end inclination of the side walls being such thatadjacent links may be turned to :a facing relation and moved laterallyfor c0nnection and disconnection, the end of the tongue beingaccommodated in said groove during such lateral movement.

Signed at Golden, New York, this27th day

